CVE-2021-21222 is a heap buffer overflow vulnerability found in V8, the JavaScript engine of Google Chrome, affecting versions prior to 90.0.4430.85. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker who has compromised the renderer process to bypass site isolation by utilizing a specially crafted HTML page. The severity of this vulnerability is classified as medium, with a CVSS score of 6.5.
The risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious payloads. Given the impact on confidentiality, organizations must address this vulnerability urgently to prevent exploitation.
As of now, there are no known exploits in the wild, but the vulnerability has been marked as modified, indicating that further attention is needed. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Users are encouraged to update their Chrome installations to the latest version to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability. Failing to do so could lead to increased exposure to potential attacks.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states that this vulnerability allows for a heap buffer overflow in V8 of Google Chrome prior to version 90.0.4430.85. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-787, indicating a buffer overflow issue.
The CVSS score of 6.5 reflects a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity required and no privileges needed from the attacker. However, user interaction is required for successful exploitation.
The vulnerability impacts various systems, including Google Chrome and certain Linux distributions such as Debian and Fedora. The publication date for this vulnerability is April 26, 2021.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2021-21222 stems from improper handling of memory allocation within the V8 JavaScript engine. This flaw can be exploited remotely by attackers who can craft malicious HTML content that, when rendered, leads to heap memory corruption.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning that the attacker does not need physical access to the target system. The complexity of executing an attack is low, as it requires only the victim's interaction with the malicious HTML page.
No special privileges are needed to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous for users who may inadvertently visit a compromised site. The confidentiality impact is high, while integrity and availability remain unaffected.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2021-21222 is significant. Organizations running affected versions of Google Chrome are vulnerable to attacks that could result in data breaches, unauthorized access, or further exploitation of system vulnerabilities.
The blast radius of this vulnerability can be considerable, particularly for organizations that rely heavily on web applications for business operations. Given the high confidentiality impact, the urgency for remediation is critical.
Based on the CVSS score and the current threat landscape, organizations should prioritize addressing this vulnerability in their patch management cycles to mitigate potential risks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Google Chrome include all prior to 90.0.4430.85. Additionally, various Linux distributions such as Debian 10.0 and Fedora versions 32 through 34 are also vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should update Google Chrome to version 90.0.4430.85 or later. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing network controls that restrict access to potentially malicious sites.
For further guidance on vulnerability management, organizations may refer to our comprehensive vulnerability management program design to ensure a structured approach to addressing identified vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unusual behavior or access attempts that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, users should be educated on the risks of opening untrusted HTML content.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-21222 lies in its representation of ongoing vulnerabilities within widely used software like Google Chrome. As web applications become increasingly complex, the potential for similar vulnerabilities to arise remains high.
For organizations, this vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining updated software and conducting regular security assessments. Teams should consider implementing practices such as penetration testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses before they can be exploited.
In addition, organizations should stay vigilant and informed about emerging threats, such as those relating to V8 and similar technologies, to ensure they can respond swiftly to new vulnerabilities.
For further insights on threat intelligence and proactive security measures, organizations can explore our resources on red teaming and other security testing services.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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